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WHAT IF I COULD PROVE TO YOU THAT JESUS DID RISE FROM THE DEAD?

Posted in Preaching messages, tagged , , , , , , on January 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »

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EVIDENCE FOR CHRISTIANITY No. 2

If Jesus actually rose from the dead as described in the New Testament, this is powerful evidence that:

  1. Jesus is God, as He claimed He was/is.
  2. Jesus’ prediction that He would rise was correct.
  3. Christianity is unique as a religion, separate from all other religions whose founders are still in the grave.

How can something be proven? In a court of law, if a crime has allegedly been committed, the prosecution will endeavour to present evidence that shows beyond reasonable doubt that the perpetrator is guilty. Evidence can be in the form of forensic evidence, eye witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, documentary evidence and expert evidence. So, lets ask the best, most recognised lawyers and legal minds to analyse the evidence available regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853) was one of the founders of Harvard Law School. He authored the authoritative three-volume text, A Treatise on the Law of Evidence (1842), which is still considered “the greatest single authority on evidence in the entire literature of legal procedure.” Greenleaf literally wrote the rules of evidence for the U.S. legal system. He was certainly a man who knew how to weigh the facts. He was an atheist until he accepted a challenge by his students to investigate the case for Christ’s resurrection. After personally collecting and examining the evidence based on rules of evidence that he helped establish, Greenleaf became a Christian and wrote the classic, Testimony of the Evangelists. Christian apologetic work by Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853), an early professor (1833-1848) of the Harvard Law School (founded in 1817). – 10 mins read.

Sir Lionel Luckhoo (1914-1997) is considered one of the greatest lawyers in British history. He’s recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “World’s Most Successful Advocate,” with 245 consecutive murder acquittals. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II — twice. Luckhoo declared: “I humbly add I have spent more than 42 years as a defense trial lawyer appearing in many parts of the world and am still in active practice. I have been fortunate to secure a number of successes in jury trials and I say unequivocally the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.” Check out this brief Instagram reel about Sir Lionel Luckoo. The most successful lawyer in history was Sir Lionel Luckhoo who says the resurrection  definitely took place. – 20 mins read

Lee Strobel was a Yale-educated, award-winning journalist at the Chicago Tribune. As an atheist, he decided to compile a legal case against Jesus Christ and prove him to be a fraud by the weight of the evidence. As Legal Editor of the Tribune, Strobel’s area of expertise was courtroom analysis. To make his case against Christ, Strobel cross-examined a number of Christian authorities, recognized experts in their own fields of study (including PhD’s from such prestigious academic centers as Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis). He conducted his examination with no religious bias, other than his predisposition to atheism.

Remarkably, after compiling and critically examining the evidence for himself, Strobel became a Christian. Stunned by his findings, he organized the evidence into a book entitled, The Case for Christ, which won the Gold Medallion Book Award for excellence. Strobel asks one thing of each reader – remain unbiased in your examination of the evidence. In the end, judge the evidence for yourself, acting as the lone juror in the case for Christ. “As a “lone juror,” I sat quiet in my chair. As jurors often do in the jury room, I asked to return once again to a provoking piece of evidence.”

 

Even more powerful analysis is available here……

A Historian Explains the Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus (Dr. Gary Habermas) – Youtube 36 mins

The Resurrection Argument That Changed a Generation of Scholars | Gary Habermas at UCSB – Youtube 1 hour 20 mins

Evidence for the Resurrection (Dr. William Lane Craig) – Youtube 34 mins.

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DO YOU FEEL CALLED BY GOD?

Posted in Preaching messages, tagged , , , , , on January 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »

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Did any heads turn when you stepped out in faith?

Did anyone gasp at your decision to step out in faith?

Did anyone critique your decision?

The Story…

Mat 14:22  As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people.

Mat 14:23  With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

Mat 14:24  Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves.

Mat 14:25  At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water.

Mat 14:26  They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.

Mat 14:27  But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

Mat 14:28  Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

Mat 14:29  He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. (MESS)

In this story Peter chooses to obey Jesus even though all the natural knowledge and instincts were telling him, “No don’t do it!”

Have you heard the voice of God? It’s that nagging feeling that you can’t get rid of. It’s like your conscience gnawing away at you on the inside except when it’s God’s voice there’s an urgency attached to it. You can ignore it for 30 years but it still feels more urgent every year.

WHEN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT AND OBEY GOD?

It’s vital to hear the voice of God

We get caught up in the hum drum of daily lives. God waits patiently by.   He has already spoken the command to us and we are preoccupied with the petty unimportant trivialities of life.

When will you obey Him?

Mary and Martha

Luk 10:38  As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home.

Luk 10:39  She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said.

Luk 10:40  But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

Luk 10:41  The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing.

Luk 10:42  One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it–it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

What are you fussing over while the most important issue goes unchecked in your inbox?

Come on, be honest – you heard God calling you!

WHEN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT AND OBEY GOD?

What has He called you to do?

MY STORY

When I was at Uni – I wanted to serve God. That was passion, commitment and dedication talking. But what was God saying? “Get a job!”

Can you hear God say what you don’t want to hear?

Then later when I’m settled into to a high paying job, God calls – “Now come and work for me” So now I ask God directly, What do you want me to do? He responds with these words etched into my heart; “What good is an arrow that never flies, what good is a wind that never blows, what good is a fire that never burns?”

God usually speaks in a way that you least expect and couldn’t make it up.

I was expecting a “Yes” or “Wait on me” or “Your time has not yet come”

WHEN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT AND OBEY GOD?

So many times we have heard it and we discount that word.

Gideon

Jdg 6:34  GOD’s Spirit came over Gideon. He blew his ram’s horn trumpet and the Abiezrites came out, ready to follow him.

Jdg 6:35  He dispatched messengers all through Manasseh, calling them to the battle; also to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. They all came.

Jdg 6:36  Gideon said to God, “If this is right, if you are using me to save Israel as you’ve said,

Jdg 6:37  then look: I’m placing a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If dew is on the fleece only, but the floor is dry, then I know that you will use me to save Israel, as you said.”

Jdg 6:38  That’s what happened. When he got up early the next morning, he wrung out the fleece–enough dew to fill a bowl with water!

Jdg 6:39  Then Gideon said to God, “Don’t be impatient with me, but let me say one more thing. I want to try another time with the fleece. But this time let the fleece stay dry, while the dew drenches the ground.”

Jdg 6:40  God made it happen that very night. Only the fleece was dry while the ground was wet with dew.

God’s been speaking to you for years!!! When are you going to acknowledge it?

When are you going to respond? Will you live your whole life wondering what could have been?

WHEN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT AND OBEY GOD?

Obedience has a cost.

The disciples

Luk 5:10  And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon (Peter). And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!

Luk 5:11  And after they had run their boats on shore, they left everything and  joined Him as His disciples and sided with His party and accompanied Him.

MY STORY

Five years at Uni. I had a new job an Electrical Engineer paying well. My whole career was ahead of me. I came to work for a church in an unskilled position for a quarter of the pay. Then after about 6 months the church went through a financial crisis and my pay was halved. We learned faith. Is God our provider or not?

WHEN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT AND OBEY GOD?

Fear will stop you obeying God.

Peter

Mat 14:26  They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.

Mat 14:27  But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

Mat 14:28  Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

The mind is often an adversary in your walk with God. It will think of a huge number of reasons why obeying God is a bad idea. Think of Peter’s dilemma. How experts would be happy to give you advice that walking on water is just impossible?

Fear will target your insecurity.

If I obey God how will I provide for myself?

Wrong – God is your provision.

Fear will target what others think.

If I obey God every one will think that I am a fanatic, unbalanced, crazy even!

Wrong – Psa_118:6  The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? [AMP]

Ultimately, eternity will tell the story of your obedience.

In a million years from now – what will really be important to you?

What decisions will really impact eternity?

2Co 5:10  For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]. (AMP)

I want to draw your attention to what God has called you to do. Not the day to day little acts of obedience, though they are important, but to what the big picture call is saying to you.

That has God asked of you – what has He called you to do?

WHEN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT AND OBEY GOD?

Put aside fears, forget what others will say about you, look past the inconvenience of today and get out of the boat!

YOUR NEXT STEP

Go and talk to the most respected man or woman of God that you know and have access to and share your decision to obey the call of God.

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The Word of God Changes Me

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on January 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Message Sunday 20 January 2013 AMbible

Have you completed your mini-survey?

The bible is amazing!

Most published book on earth by miles.

It is supernatural in its ability to change you.

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing  and  sifting  and  analyzing  and  judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 AMP)

When you go to sleep – your body goes into maintenance mode.

Your brain is very active when you are asleep. Your body is active in healing, restoring and growing during the sleep period.

What about your spirit, the real you, your heart, when does that restore heal and rejuvenate?

Look at what the word of God promises for your spirit man……

Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11 AMP)

Psa 119:105    Nun. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

You are cleansed  and  pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you  and  continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:3, 7 AMP)

The law of the  Lord  is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the  Lord  is  sure, making wise  the simple; (Psalms 19:7 ESV)

Lets look at a prophetic story in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel

Eze 37:1    The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.

Eze 37:2    And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry.

Eze 37:3    And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.”

Eze 37:4    Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

Eze 37:5    Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

Dry bones – way past dead. – can they live?

But Israel were still a people alive and going about their daily routines.

But they were spiritually dead, why?

They had stopped their relationship with God They were worshipping idols – there were other things more important than God in their lives.

God asks – “Can these live?”

Ezekiel answers wisely…. ” You know Oh Lord”

Look what the word of The Lord does to these bones.

Eze 37:6    And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

Eze 37:7    So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.

Eze 37:8    And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them.

Eze 37:9    Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”

Eze 37:10    So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

 

We will come alive when the word of God comes to us.

How dry are your bones?

How was your time spent in prayer this week? – Did you hear God speak to your heart about something?

Have you spent time this week reading Gods word?- is there an application of His word that you can make after reading it?

Have you been able to share your faith and testimony with people this week?  – if you abide in me and my words abide in you you shall bear much fruit.

During this time of prayer and fasting in this church from 7-27 January we have had prayer times at church every week day morning and every night.

Apart from paid staff the attendance has been between one and three.

Maybe there’s a lot of dry bones in this church.

Thanks to all those who pray and seek God at home and thanks to those who are fasting with us. But corporate prayer is vital.

One can put a thousand to flight and two can put ten thousand to flight.

When you pray on your own – you could be distracted by worries, concerns, negative thoughts. When you pray with others you are supported and you learn how to pray. We will teach you.

I love you church but I am afraid that you have become disheartened.

Some of the most amazing people in this church are solo mums. Some of our solo mums arrive at 6am set their kids up in the play room and come in to the prayer room to seek God. Another woman in our church who has been through a deep tragedy recently came to cry out to God for others in this church.

God’s people have a capacity to change the world but only when they are vitally connected to Him.

Can these bones live? – I believe they can.

I PROPHESY OVER THIS CHURCH —   BREATH OF GOD COME FROM HEAVEN AND BLOW UPON THESE PEOPLE THAT THEY MAY ARISE AND STAND UP N THEIR FEET A MIGHTY ARMY.

Will you let the word of God heal you restore you and change you?

I believe that the bible is the word of God and it is inerrant, reliable and divinely inspired.

Here’s why…

Why not access the 8 messages on our podcast site that explain the authenticity and reliability of the bible.

  1. Evidence –

literary evidence

Prophetic evidence

Archaeological evidence

Go to :  http://pvc.podomatic.com/player/web/2010-04-09T06_14_02-07_00

2. If any part of the bible can be questioned, then how can you put your faith in any other part? How can your salvation, the most important issue in your life, rest upon a fallible text or one attributed to man or suspicious in its veracity?

Do not let popular secular myths and pseudo scientific statements shape how you believe about the word of God.

(It’s full of inconsistencies, or its changed over the centuries because of translation and copying errors.) thousands of scientists who believe in the inspiration of the bible are listed  here http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/

 

Here is a study that was done in Australia and America that looked at a list of 150 things that Christians can do to grow spiritually – and then measured it against 22 sins – to see which of the 150 were the most powerful to overcome sin. They came up with a very interesting conclusion – reading the word of God 4 or more times a week was most powerful.

In our Urban Connect Groups we teach members to read the word of God and come back to the group ready to share what God has spoken to them in that reading and how they will apply that to their lives.

Here’s the best way to read the word of God. We use the YOUVERSION Life Journal Reading plan that helps you read through the bible in a year Old Testament once and New Testament twice.

Here’s how to locate that. Go to PVCOC website. Or use the handout you received today.

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